Unleavened Bread eBook

She was enthralled by the idea of using her own personal
magnetism to promote her husband’s business.
She felt that it was just the sort of thing she would
like and was fitted for, and that here was an opportunity
for her individuality to display itself. She devoted
herself with engaging assiduity to Mr. Parsons, pleased
during the active process of propitiation by the sub-consciousness
that her table was one of the centres of interest
in the large restaurant. She had dressed herself
with formal care, and nothing in the way of compliment
could have gratified her more than the remark which
Mr. Parsons made, as he regarded her appreciatively,
when he had finished his supper, that she suggested
his idea of Columbia. Selma glowed with satisfaction.
The comparison struck her as apt and appropriate,
and she replied with a proud erection of her head,
which imparted to her features their transcendental
look, and caused her short curl to joggle tremulously,
“I suppose I see what you mean, Mr. Parsons.”

CHAPTER VII.

One evening, four or five days after this supper party,
Wilbur laid down the book which he was pretending
to read, and said, “Selma, I have come to the
conclusion that I must give up dabbling in stocks.
I am being injured by it—­not financially,
for, as you know, I have made a few thousand dollars—­but
morally.”

“I thought you were convinced that it was not
immoral,” answered Selma, in a constrained voice.

“I do not refer to whether speculation is justifiable
in itself, but to its effect on me as an individual—­its
distraction to my mind and consequent interference
with my professional work.”

“Oh.”

“For a year now, the greater portion of the
time, I have had some interest in the market, and
as a consequence, have felt impelled to look in on
Williams and VanHorne every day—­sometimes
oftener. I am unable to dismiss my speculations
from my thoughts. I find myself wondering what
has happened to the stocks I am carrying, and I am
satisfied that the practice is thoroughly demoralizing
to my self-respect and to my progress. I am going
to give it up.”

“I suppose you must give it up if it affects
you like that,” responded Selma drily.
“I don’t see exactly why it should.”

“It may seem foolish to you, but I am unable
to put my ventures out of my mind. The consequences
of loss would be so serious to me that I suppose my
imagination becomes unduly active and apprehensive.
Also, I find myself eager to secure large gains.
I must renounce Aladdin’s lamp from this day
forth, my dear, and trust to my legitimate business
for my income.”

Selma folded her hands and looked grave. “It’s
disappointing that you feel so just when we are beginning
to get on, Wilbur.”

“I have realized, Selma, that you have enjoyed
and—­er—­been made happier by
the freedom to spend which this extra money has afforded
you. But I know, when you reflect, you will understand
that I am right, and that it would be disastrous to
both of us if I were to continue to do what I believe
demoralizing. It is a mortification to me to ask
you to retrench, but I said to myself that Selma would
be the first to insist on our doing so if she knew
my feelings, and it makes me happy to be sure of your
approval.”